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was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth when there were no fountains, abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there when he set a compass upon the face of the deep when he gave to the sea his decree, that the water should not pass his commandment; when he appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by him, as one brought up with him; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him," ver. 2230. This is the great Breaker, who stands as our blessed head and representative, having broken up all that stood in our way. He burst asunder the gates of sin, Satan, death, hell, and the grave; like Samson, who took the gates of Gaza, put them on his shoulders, and carried them to the top of a high hill; so our Samson, having prepared the way, is gone before us into heaven. In doing this, he may be said to have drank damnation dry. He has broken up the gates of it to the very core, and destroyed the first and second death for all his people who in their proper time shall follow and sit down for evermore with their almighty conqueror.

The prophet speaks of this as a thing already done, "The Breaker is come up before them, they have broken up and passed through the gate, and are gone out by it." In the divine mind it is all accomplished, and therefore Paul thus speaks, "But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ; and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," Eph. ii. 4, 5, 6. And if you are passed from death unto life, regenerated by the Holy Ghost, you,

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Sirs, are certainly risen with Christ, ascended with Christ, and sitting down with Christ at the right hand of God. Well therefore may it be said, comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins,” Isa. xl. 1, 2.

The infinity of our Lord Jesus gave efficacy to all that he did. There was not an act, or deed, or thought of Christ but what was infinite, because he himself was infinite; no period can therefore possibly arrive, even after millions and millions of ages have passed away, when it may be said, that the church has recompensed for all the Lord Jesus did for her hence it is said, "she has received double for all her sins."

You that are in Christ, instead of looking into yourselves, you should always be looking to Christ; living out of self, wholly in Christ, and this is the way to get rid of all sorrow and trouble. My salvation does not hang upon what I feel, or on what my views are, but on what Jesus Christ has done for me, for "of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever, amen." But we must not stop here. My text is full of every thing that is blessed.

Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, say ye to the daughter of Zion, behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him." Mark, it is spoken to the daughter of Zion, the church of the living God, the people chosen by God the Father from all eternity, the church which the Son of God married and redeemed to himself by his blood, and which the Holy Ghost sanctifies, regenerates, and calls out of all places wheresoever they may be scattered. We never can be too bold, in referring the whole to the eternal love of God. "I, even I, will both search my sheep and seek them

out, as a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day," Ezek. xxxiv. 11, 12. And again, "I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick." This will explain the conclusion of my text, "They shall call them, the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord; and thou shalt be called, sought out, a city not forsaken."

(To be concluded in our next.)

THOUGHTS ON CONDITIONAL AND
OFFERED SALVATION.

[By the Rev. JOSEPH O'REILLY, of Lisbellan, Ireland, an account of whose dying experience was published in the June Number of Zion's Casket.]

Many theologians affect to "preach the Gospel," and to set it forth in their publications, whose way of salvation is exhibited as something conditional; and amongst persons avowedly more orthodox, the preaching of the gospel is made to consist of what they call 66 an offered salvation." As these phrases are the technicalities by which two kindred erroneous systems are promoted in the religious world, I submit them to public notice with the following observations.

1. The advocates for conditional salvation talk much of the fall of man, of justification by faith, and of salvation by grace, in one part of their sermons or tracts, and sometimes express indignation if they are classed with arminians; but in what they call the practical part, or the applicatory part of their gospels, they subvert the work of faith, and contradict the isolated truths which decorate that vague and presumptuous thing which is to be sought for, improved, and retained by man. This pharisaical concision pervades many of the ser

mons, tracts, and systems of theology, that issue daily from the pulpits and the press, and is the very, the avowed gospel of all to whom the term arminian can be correctly applied.

In the minds of the more ignorant of those who traffick in conditions, it will be found that "conditional salvation" is just of the same kind as salvation by works maintained in the Church of Rome, with this difference, Protestant arminians take the work on their own shoulders, Papists transfer a great part of the work to their clergy, to the mass, or to purgatory. The "conditions" are more specious, more captivating than "works," specially when works are accompanied with the silly ceremonies and abominable idolatries of the papacy; but both conditions and works are opposed to the everlasting covenant.

In the language of the more enlightened Arminians, conditions signify not "the bodily exercise" avowed by their more candid brethren, but such spiritual acts, or states of mind, as repenting, believing, praying, seeking, &c.: some of which are to be performed by man dead in sins, and some other conditions by man after his supposed conversion, in which he has wrought his own part. They exhort men to feel and to act in such a way as will, according to their fancy, enable them to lay hold of and enjoy salvation: and to complete the impiety of their creed, they affirm, that, for the failure of a single condition, a man at the last hour of life would be hurled from the acme of perfection to the abyss of hell. Thus making it possible, that after years of this conditional drudgery, a man may be finally lost!

In condemnation of these presumptuous uncertainties, the holy scriptures represent faith and repentance as the gifts of God to his elect; and their believing, repenting, &c. as the evidences and fruits, not the conditions, not the co-working of man in order that he MIGHT be saved, but the fruits of righteousness of one that is saved by

the Lord Jesus Christ.

The repen- there is no arminianism in heaven.” To talk of works, of conditions, of co-working in heaven, would produce discord and excite rebellion, by attempting to invest creatures with the glory due only to the Eternal.

tance and faith of the carnal mind when presented to God, as the procuring cause, or the securing help of our salvation, are but the "vain oblations" of self-righteousness, which are as filthy rags before him "who is just, and the justifier of him that believeth" offered salvation," is generally conin Jesus.' (see Acts v. 31. Eph. ii. 8. Phil. i. 29.)

A plausible and profane objection to the doctrines of grace is frequently made thus-"God did for us the work of a Saviour, but he did not repent nor believe for us; he gave his Son for us, and we must do our part:" and hence men, however ignorant and carnally-minded, are by the preachers of a general salvation and a salvable state, &c. excited to feel and to act their part.

Here is ignorance of, and opposition to the work of Christ, as the divinely appointed Saviour of his people—and man dead in sin, is presumptuously united with a God of holiness in the work of saving his own soul! Whereas, salvation by grace, in the scriptural sense of the phrase, represents the people of God as "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." "It is God that worketh in you, (addressed to persons already saved) both to will and to do of his own good pleasure." The testimony of the people of God to that work is, "Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou also hast wrought all our works in us," Isaiah xxvi. 12. And that accords with the song of the redeemed in glory, "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, amen." (see also verse 5.) And here I may add, what an eminent minister of the Church of England said of arminianism, in his refutation of the works of Mr. Wesley, "Men may profess arminianism on earth, but

2. That gospel, which consists of an

The

nected with "conditional salvation," and is avowed and preached by those who look upon the "conditions" of arminianism, as one of the many heresies of these apostate times. "offered salvation" so prominently set forth in the tracts and sermons of many religionists of ancient and modern times, is a profane jargon of refined Arminianism, and necessarily leads to all the vagueness and presumption of that corrupt system. I am aware that the phrase "offered salvation" is sometimes found in the works of the Puritans, and of other decidedly evangelical divines, but they have used it to signify that salvation is proclaimed, manifested, or exhibited to us, in the word of God, or in the faithful preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the chaotic mixtures of arminians, and of nondescripts of every shade, the words " offered salvation" are used to excite men to make

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a sordid bargain with the skies." Modern pharisees apply their subject, that is, their gospel, in such language as this, "Now here is a salvation offered to you all! Now let every one of you close with the offers of mercy! Oh, will you not all do your part, as God did his !" &c. And many modern scribes follow with blind zeal in the same track, and contribute to give a wider circulation and more lasting character to the heresy of an "offered salvation.”

If the advocates of an "offered salvation" were to reflect on the impiety of the "sordid bargain" in which they traffic, a salutary check would be placed on the arrogant official pretensions with which they invest themselves. The offered salvation" is generally prefaced with their claims to

a character almost mediatorial, or at least apostolic. How often has such language as this fallen from the lips of a creature, who, compassed with the ordinary failings and ignorances of humanity, declares, that he is an "ambassador of God," that he has been sent to "offer salvation," &c. to all that hear him.

Other advantages likely to result from exploding this heretical phrase from the religious world, would be, God would not be represented as acting uncertainly, as entering into terms with man, in a corrupt and accursed state, irrespective of the Mediator Jesus Christ, whom He has appointed to be the way, the truth, and the life, and the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him.

If such phrases as "offered salvation" were banished from sermons, tracts, and prayers, so called, the pride, the free-will, and the self-righteousness of sinners, would not be pampered, and room would be made for the exhibition of the everlasting covenant, which brings all the glory of salvation to God, and represents him as loving his people with an everlasting love, as accepting them in the beloved, as giving to the heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ," "all things that pertain to life and godliness;" and keeping them" by his mighty power through faith unto salvation," until as the "ransomed of the Lord they shall return to Zion, with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." whom alone be glory, Amen.

Παύλος.

To

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more for ever; eternity will soon be discovered to our view; and then, if we are the Lord's redeemed and called ones, we shall be happy for ever. Here nature changes; lovely aurora is no longer seen rising from her rosy bed, but cold winter sternly approaches, with its chilling morn and icy chains: but in heaven there will be no winter, no night, but one blest summer's day. Well, beloved, fast then as the wheels of time are bringing on the night of death, they bring eternal day.

Let us for a few moments think on the goodness of God to us through the past year. Has he not blest us with every needful blessing? He has; then let his bountiful hand be praised for his goodness. He has been to us a God of providence and grace; his mercies have been constant as the day, free as the air, and more innumerable than the drops of morning dew: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." He has spared our sinforfeited lives, blessed us with health and strength, and crowned us with loving-kindness and tender-mercy.We are favoured with the gospel of his grace, the voice of the turtle-dove is heard between the walls of our Zion. Salvation is the wall of our defence, which stands invulnerable against all the attacks of its most daring foes; truth is our shield; while the oath, the promise, the faithfulness, the love, and power of our God, are our glorious bulwarks. Thus the Lord has been a wall of fire round about us, and the glory in our midst. Praise him, all ye his saints; praise him, sun, moon, and stars; praise him, all ye bright intelligences of the glory world; praise him, louder than all, O my soul, for the matchless wonders of his abounding grace. His house is still our home, where we love to dwell; his saints our dear companions, with whom we love to talk; his gospel is music to our ears, and his table the festal board at which we view our suffering Lord. Oh, that our hearts may praise him more and

more.

Though we have not at all times enjoyed his presence in his earthly courts, yet it has been always well for us to be there; for when we have not been comforted, we have been instructed and edified. And O how many opportunities have we had of meeting together for social prayer; and have not our hearts been gladdened when a brother has been pleading for us at the throne of grace? And while we have been singing the praises of God and the Lamb, have we not felt a wish that at last we may bear some humble part in the immortal song. O for more of the enjoyment of the divine presence at these meetings!

But alas! alas! have we not sinned against our gracious God? Why then are we so highly favoured? It is because his grace is sovereign, rich, and free; his love unabating, and his mercy ever flowing in streams of blood; the atonement ever available, and Jesus ever pleading on the eternal throne, that God is gracious to spare our guilty lives, and we are kept out of that dismal hell which we as sinners have merited. Praise, praise, praise be paid to him whose mercy endureth continually. His precious blood cleanseth from all sin, his righteousness completely justifies, his Holy Spirit sanctifies, his power preserves, his love like a wide-spreading banner defends from the scorching heat, his wisdom guides, and his promises afford comfort in time of trouble. Thus the Lord has loaded us with benefits not only this year, but for many years in the wilderness. The unworthy writer of these lines fears that there are many mercies which we entirely forget, or think but little of them. Such as the possession of our reasoning powers, the power of speech, of hearing, of seeing, and the sense of feeling; these are not among the least of our mercies, yet alas! how seldom do we hear christians in their prayers praise God for them, or entreat for their continuance.

May the Lord make us more mindful
Jan. 1838.]

of and thankful for all his mercies.As the end of the present year is fast approaching, so is the end of all things. Hear Peter's solemn admonition, "The end of all things is at hand; be yẻ sober, and watch unto prayer." Preaching opportunities, and seasons of prayer, will soon terminate. All christian ordinances must cease in this world, and we must die. But if we are believers in Jesus, though we die, yet shall we live for ever. Have we been baptized in the fountain of Immanuel's blood, clothed with his righteousness, and regenerated by his Spirit? Are we fixed on the rock Christ Jesus? Do we dwell in the ark of the covenant, and are we resting in immutable love? Then to live, for us is Christ, and to die, everlasting gain: yea, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's for ever.

Dear reader, how hast thou spent the past year? How much enjoyment of the divine presence hast thou had? What hast thou done for thy Jesus? Has not the old man of sin been at times too strong for thee? and have you not sometimes had to cry, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" I anticipate your reply, Alas! alas! I have done little for, but much against him who has done so much for me: I feel so vile and helpless, that I need mercy now as much as ever I did. Well, blessed be God, there is a fulness in Jesus to supply all thy wants; though we are imperfect in ourselves, we are perfect in our glorious Head.

Now that the Lord may bless both writer and reader, and give us hearts to lament because we have loved him no more and served him no better, and to close this year (if our lives arę spared) in much serious meditation and fervent prayer; and may the mercy of God be manifested in the pardon of all our numerous sins, that we may meet at last in the heavenly world, is the earnest prayer of your's in gospel bonds,

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